The following author appearances, readings and book events are planned for the coming week in the Valley:
AMHERST BOOKS: Nathaniel Mackey, poet, novelist, editor, and critic, will read from his work Thursday at 8 p.m. at the bookshop, at 8 Main St., Amherst. 256-1547
FORBES LIBRARY: Emmanuel Dongala, Polina Barskova, and Thérèse Soukar Chehade speak on “War, Conflict, and Refugees: The Literature of Crisis” Wednesday at 7 p.m. Part of the series “Modern Real and Surreal: Writers & Artists on Our Age” at the library, 20 West St., Northampton. 587-1011
MEEKINS LIBRARY: David Arenstam discusses his debut novel, “Homecoming: A Soldier’s Story of Loyalty, Courage and Redemption,” which honors Vietnam veteran and Williamsburg native Russell Warriner, Saturday at 11 a.m. at the library, 2 Williams St, Williamsburg.
ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP: John Scalzi reads from his new book, “The Collapsing Empire,” and discusses science fiction with fellow writers Scott Lynch and Elizabeth Bear Friday at 7 p.m.; Sam Abrams, author of “Education and the Commercial Mindset,” speaks Wednesday at 7 p.m.; and Jennifer Finney Boylan reads from her thriller “Long Black Veil” Thursday at 7 p.m., all at the bookstore, in the Village Commons, 9 College St., South Hadley. 534-7307
SMITH COLLEGE: Susan Cocalis and Don Horton read from their work Saturday at 4 p.m. as part of the Gallery of Readers series at Neilson Library at the college in Northamp-ton.
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS: Writer and political activist Noam Chomsky speaks about “Prospects for Survival” Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center at the university in Amherst.
WHITE SQUARE BOOKS: Ellen Meeropol reads from her new novel, “Kinship of Clover,” Saturday at 1 p.m. at the bookstore, 86 Cottage St, Easthampton. 203-1717
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